Question 1

Can I sell my car parts for cash?

Accepted Answer

If you’re selling privately, like on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, you can technically get paid in cash. But the moment you go through a licensed ATF or breakers yard (like us, or anyone legit), cash is off the table. It's actually illegal under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
Every payment has to be done via bank transfer or cheque. That law’s in place to crack down on dodgy operations and stolen metal trades. But the upside for you? It keeps everything above board. You’re protected, your payment’s traceable, and there’s no funny business.

Question 2

Where can I sell car parts for cash near me?

Accepted Answer

If you’re looking to sell individual parts for cash, your best bet is to go the private route. Mechanics and body shops in your area might be interested if they’re after something specific, like a catalytic converter, gearbox or panel.
You’ve also got private buyers — people working on a project car or looking for a cheap replacement part — plus independent motor traders who fix and flip vehicles.
The easiest way to reach them is through online listing sites. Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay, they all have location filters so you can connect with people nearby. Just be clear about the condition of the part and expect some haggling.

Question 3

Can I sell my car for parts without a V5C?

Accepted Answer

Technically, yes, you can sell your car for parts without the V5C logbook. It’s not illegal. But we’ll be honest with you… it makes the process a lot more difficult and you’ll probably get offered less money for the car.
The V5C is how you officially tell the DVLA you’ve transferred or scrapped the vehicle. Without it, the paperwork becomes a bit of a nightmare both for you and for the buyer. Some dealers won’t even touch a car without it, or they’ll deduct from the offer because they’ll have to handle all the admin themselves.
That’s why we always recommend you just get a replacement before selling. It’s dead easy, costs £25 and you can do it online. You’ll get the new logbook within five working days. Totally worth it for the smoother experience and better payout.

Question 4

Is it legal to sell a car for parts in the UK?

Accepted Answer

In the UK, it’s totally legal to sell your car for parts as long as the car’s not a Category A write-off. That’s the one category where the law says it must be crushed and never used for parts again.

Question 5

What’s the best place to sell a car for parts?

Accepted Answer

Honestly, it depends on what you value more: time or money.
If you’re trying to squeeze every penny out of the car, selling parts individually through private listings might be the way to go. If the car’s newer and in-demand, you’ll probably find buyers for the high-value stuff like the catalytic converter, wheels and the engine, but it’s a grind.
You’ll need to strip the car, list each part separately and deal with messages, hagglers, shipping, maybe even returns. And most people only want one thing, meaning you could end up stuck with half a stripped car on your driveway for weeks.
Now, if you want to just get it done fast, clean and still for good money, go with Car.co.uk. We buy the whole thing in one go, quote based on part value, collect for free and pay you instantly. A lot of the time, the all-in-one route ends up being just as profitable with none of the hassle.

Question 6

Can I sell a wrecked car for parts?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Wrecked cars are actually perfect for parting out, which is why we deal in them. Even if it looks like a total write-off, there’s usually value in the parts. Think: engine components, electronics, wheels, suspension, even body panels if they weren’t damaged in the crash.
What matters most is what’s still salvageable. And that’s where we come in. When you enter your reg and postcode, our system runs the vehicle through a parts valuation algorithm that figures out what’s likely still worth money based on the car’s make, model and market demand.

Question 7

How much can I get for selling my car for parts?

Accepted Answer

You could make anywhere from a few hundred up to several thousand pounds, depending on your car.
If it’s only worth scrap, typical payouts in the UK range from £150 to £400, based on weight, model, condition, location and scrap metal rates.
But if your vehicle has high‑value components like a working engine, gearbox, alloys or catalytic converter, you might score significantly more. Engines and transmissions can fetch hundreds to over a thousand pounds, and catalytic converters typically bring £200 to £600+.

Question 8

Can I sell my car for parts if it's not running?

Accepted Answer

Yep, that’s not a problem at all. A huge chunk of the cars we buy aren’t running. Buyers don’t care if the car drives; they’re after what’s inside. Stuff like the alternator, transmission, suspension, even interior bits. As long as the parts are intact and salvageable, we’ll make you an offer.

Question 9

How do I sell my old car for parts?

Accepted Answer

If you want to part out your car, you’ve got two options: sell it part-by-part yourself or sell the whole car to a company like ours that buys it for the value of the parts.
If you want to do it manually, you'd need to dismantle the car, list and price each part individually (on eBay, Gumtree, etc.), handle buyers, shipping, returns and time-wasters, store what doesn’t sell and eventually dispose of the leftover shell properly. It can be profitable, but it’s a serious project that requires tools, space, time and patience.
Now, if you want to skip all that, just go to the top of this page, enter your reg and postcode, and we’ll give you a real-time quote based on the value of your car’s parts. From there, pick a date and time for free collection. We send a licensed driver to grab the car and you get paid instantly by bank transfer.

Question 10

Can I sell my broken car for parts online?

Accepted Answer

Online is the easiest way to sell a broken car for parts these days.
You don’t need to strip the car, take photos of every part, or manage listings yourself. Just enter your reg number and postcode into our site, and we’ll instantly give you a quote based on the salvage value of the whole vehicle. Doesn’t matter if it’s broken, not running, or missing bits.
We specialise in damaged, failed and end-of-life vehicles. So whether it’s a blown engine, gearbox failure, crash damage or anything else, if the parts still hold value, we’ll buy the entire car.

Question 11

What documents do I need to sell a car for parts?

Accepted Answer

The main document you need to sell a car for parts is the V5C logbook. This proves you’re the registered keeper and makes it easier to notify the DVLA that you’ve sold or scrapped the car. When you sell for parts (through a licensed ATF like us), you’ll also need to fill out and send off the V5C/3 yellow slip.

Question 12

Do I need to inform the DVLA when selling for parts?

Accepted Answer

You’re legally responsible for telling the DVLA that the car is no longer yours. If you don’t, you’ll still be liable for things like parking fines, plus you’ll get an up to £1,000 fine.
The easiest way is using the V5C logbook. You just fill in the V5C/3 yellow slip (the section for selling to a motor trader or dismantler) and send it off to the DVLA once you take it to the scrap yard.

Question 13

Can I sell a car for spare parts without an MOT?

Accepted Answer

Having no MOT doesn’t stop you from selling a car for parts. We buy MOT failures all the time. In fact, a failed MOT is one of the most common reasons people come to us.
The thing to keep in mind is this: if the car failed (or will fail) because of something major like engine damage, frame corrosion or severe wear, that’ll affect the value of certain parts. For example, if the engine’s shot, then obviously it’s not worth much as a part.

Question 14

How quickly can I sell my car for parts?

Accepted Answer

That really depends on how you go about it. With us? You can get a quote in 30 seconds, book collection for as early as today or tomorrow and get paid the moment we pick the car up. So realistically, you could have the whole thing sorted within 24 hours.
If you go the private route (stripping and selling parts one by one), you’re looking at weeks. You’ll need to list everything, wait for buyers, deal with messages and hope the right people are looking for your parts at the right time.

Question 15

Can you sell car parts to a junkyard in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Loads of junkyards across the UK specialise in buying and reselling car parts. Some want full vehicles to break down themselves, while others buy individual parts. That’s actually how our network works. We’re connected to licensed scrap yards and breakers across the country.

Question 16

Will someone pick up my car for parts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer free vehicle collection anywhere in the UK, no matter where you’re based. On the day of collection, you’ll get regular text updates, including your driver’s arrival time and live location, so you’re never left guessing. All of our drivers are fully vetted and approved, so you can expect a professional, secure handover.

Question 17

Is it better to sell the whole car or break it for parts?

Accepted Answer

If you’re mechanically minded and have the space, time and tools, breaking it yourself and selling parts individually can make more money. But for most people, selling the whole car for parts is way better. You get one payment, one collection and it’s all done in a day or two. And with us, that quote already factors in part value.

Question 18

Do I have to remove the number plate when selling for parts?

Accepted Answer

If you’re attached to the plate or it’s personalised, you’ll need to apply to retain it through the DVLA before the car is collected. That way, the plate gets transferred to a retention certificate or another vehicle.
But if you’re not keeping it, just leave the plate on the car. The ATF will handle the rest, including notifying the DVLA and destroying the vehicle record.

Question 19

Can I sell my used car for parts if it's been written off?

Accepted Answer

If your car’s been written off by your insurer, you can still sell it for parts as long as it’s not a Category A write-off. Category B is also restricted; the shell must be crushed, but the parts can still be removed and sold. Category S and N cars are totally fine.

Question 20

What if I have taken parts off my scrap car?

Accepted Answer

The scrap value of any vehicle is based on its weight, so if you have taken parts off the car, you’ll find that the price you’ve been offered is slightly reduced.
That said, the condition of your car won’t stop us providing a quote, so missing or damaged parts aren’t a problem – just let us know when you request a price, and we’ll return the best price from our network of dismantlers.

Question 21

Why should I not break the car myself?

Accepted Answer

While you may increase the price you get for the overall car by selling every one of its parts, dismantling a car like this is a highly skilled job that requires specialist knowledge and tools. And it’ll take a long time to do safely.
If you have plenty of time, access to a well-equipped garage, and can have any dangerous components removed according to Environment Agency guidelines, you might make slightly more selling your car in this way. But for 99.9% of drivers, leave the car in one piece and we’ll do everything we can to make sure we provide you with a price that won’t be beaten.

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